Words of Praise: A Great First and Lasting Impression

Updated on July 22, 2012

The Garden of Life

Source

The tongue has the power of life and death." - Solomon

"I am alive right now, that is enough for me. My heart is beating and the blood of life pulses through me. One day this will not be so, but it is right now and that is enough for me. I am breathing right now and that is enough for me. My lungs fill with oxygen and they exhale the carbon dioxide every couple seconds and that is enough for me. One day this will not be so, but it is now and that is enough for me. I am grateful and content for I can choose how to live while all this goes on around me. Even in the midst of woe, I am content to live, for I am loved and that can never be taken away from me! May I always be willing to share this with you. Peace be with you!" - B. Stuart Noll

Living is a magical experience. It's a gift of great magnitude and what we say, think and do helps in the creative process of living. The old adage was "it's not what you say, but how you say it that counts." I believe that! I agree with the philosophy that what comes out of my mouth makes a difference in this episode of life. If I could change anything about my life I would take back some of the unpleasant and unkind words that ran across my lips before my mind could reason their impact. I would gladly retract them as I know they caused harm to people I cared about. For that I ask forgiveness.

I have also experienced the joy of lifting up another soul by using a complimentary phrase when I sensed just such a phrase was appropriate or necessary. Even more than a compliments power is the healing power of a word or words of praise. "Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal." - Robert Collier

If the tongue truly has the gift of life, then move me, wingless on the sounds of pure words, through thoughtfulness and praise that I might give life where hope is waning and peace beckons with expectation, straining to hear something good and whole and worthy of a sense of being.

A Humble Request

In the spirit of creating life, healing and peace I ask those of you who know someone in need or someone with the blues or a friend from long ago whose heart would beat a little stronger just because you spoke their name or sent a word of praise their way, then do what you are now being called to do...Lift them up, provide the sweetest of memories right now. Help them and yourself...breathe life through a simple phrase into the souls of those in your mind right now!

Thank you & Peace be with you!

More by this Author

Self talk is an oft made declaration that plays over and over again. It may be a belief, a value or an inadvertent phrase, intentionally or unintentionally learned or adopted that either becomes a force that propels us...

Perception is a crazy thing and it applies to every area of life we know, including our idea of a real man. Everyone has an opinion of what a real man is or should look like. Here are a few thoughts on the subject....

Your comments are requested and welcome! 23 comments

There are many I could speak of...However, we must live in the moment, and truly enjoy life and know that those we loved who have moved on are in a better place...for those still living, we need to let them know our love...for even in a moment in time, we hold them dear.

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Thank you Patty!

For reading, commenting and contributing to our Hubpages community and to the community we call Planet Earth!

Regards,

Bruce

ALUR 4 years ago from USA

I woke to this simple, but potent hub/message just as last night I wrote about the beauty of a single breath. I believe strongly in showing even with a smile, hope to those that see none. Our own vocabulary to rise above the turmoil and self-talk is key as well as using uplifting words to others.

You're welcome to read my hubs as well:)

ImKarn23 4 years ago

'it's not what you say - it's how you say it that counts'! This is a life lesson that i have spent lifetimes learning- and continue to learn! Life is for living...and learning! Beautiful hub!

billybuc 4 years ago from Olympia, WA

Powerful words my friend! Who better to speak them than one of the most positive people on HubPages! This is the reason I like you so much.

Keep on keeping on Bruce!

Gypsy Rose Lee 4 years ago from Riga, Latvia

Voted up. So beautiful. Inspirational.

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Thank you ALUR!

I appreciate the read and the comment! I'm going to read your hub about a single breath. As short as life is, it would be even shorter if we skipped to many of those single breaths. Why not pay attention to them eh?

Regards,

Bruce

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Hi ImKarn23!

I hope all has been well with you! For me, wisdom is speaking only when necessary or when profitable for the edification of another human being. Oh Okay, for having some fun too! I'm not sure if there will be enough lifetimes for me. I too keep learning one simple lesson at a time. I don't care how long it takes, I just want to learn it.

Gratefully,

Bruce

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Thanks Bill!

I really like what you have been doing with the video's. Thanks for reading and encouraging me!

Of course, I'm grateful!

Bruce

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Thanks for the vote Gypsy! I'm glad you liked it and I'm happy you stopped back.

I have to admit I was concerned about the length, but I'm working on the first of the "Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz (Impeccability of your word) So I guess saying what I mean is becoming more important than how long it takes for me to say it! LOL

Thanks for your interest and comment. You know I greatly appreciate them both!

Bruce

phdast7 4 years ago from Atlanta, Georgia

Bruce -- An encouraging call to spirits willing to praise and encourage whenever and wherever it is needed. Life is wonderful and there is great joy...but there is pain and discouragement and hopelessness. We should consider a privilege, not an obligation to reach out to those in need with our words. Great hub, great teaching.

Sorry I am behind in responding to your earlier comments. Theresa

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Hi Theresa!

In your comments I always find wisdom. Yes, there is pain, discouragement and hopelessness. Yet, I believe, each time I focus on praise and encouragement, I lessen these in the world as I am not the cause in at least one particular time period. Silly perhaps, but I am trying to make a more conscious choice to eliminate the suffering I cause. I admit, I have a long way to go, but again, I hope my legacy is trying.

No responses are necessary, continuing to spend your energies in teaching and writing is response enough for me.

phdast7 4 years ago from Atlanta, Georgia

I don't think it is silly at all. The world would be a much better place if we lived more consciously and carefully, cognizant of the impact for good or ill that we have on each other. We all do have a long way to go, but the value, and perhaps even the virtue, lies as you mentioned in the trying.

We simply must try; I am convinced we were never meant to live carnally, selfishly, blind to those around us. Your final sentence is very kind and generous. Have a good evening. Theresa

Pavlo Badovskyy 4 years ago from Kyiv, Ukraine

I agree with every word of this hub. Too pity people are often so busy or lazy or may be selfish to think of others . But many of us definitely had a situation when someones word helped us in a difficult time. It is so simple yet may have a huge influence on the course of events. Thank you for such a wonderful hub.

Happyboomernurse 4 years ago from South Carolina

What an uplifting and inspirational hub and I hope all who read it answer your humble request to raise someone else up today with words of praise and love.

I was at a 50th birthday party for a dear friend yesterday and it was so wonderful to hear and see those gathered together truly celebrate her remarkable life through the sharing of personal stories that related to the birthday girl.

Voted this hub up across the board except for funny.

Am also sharing.

Anamika S 4 years ago from Mumbai - Maharashtra, India

You are right! Words of praise often creates a soft corner for you. You are more likely to like someone who praises you than criticize you even when you know that the praises were just a way to charm you. Hub voted up!

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Thank you Pavlo Badovskyy!

I am very grateful that you chose to read and comment on this hub!

Just imagine the impact of just one kindness spread out over the world population. The result? Over 7 billion acts of kindness! Wow! That could certainly change some things, eh?

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Welcome back Happyboomernurse and thank you for that wonderful Birthday party comment confirming the power of praise & encouragement. Oh, and BTW even people who don't know you can lift you up! Tell the "Birthday Girl" this hubber says the next 50 will be just as exciting & Happy Birthday!

Thank you for being who you are and congrats on your century mark profile rating!!!

Sincerely,

Bruce

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Wow, Anamika S,

Thank you for reading and commenting on this hub. I'm honored, it isn't often that a Hubpages Elite writer comments on your work. I am indeed grateful!

I look at it this way; it really doesn't matter why someone chooses to praise, they had a choice and could have chosen to be silent.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Bruce

KrisL 4 years ago from S. Florida

This is really fine . . . I've been reading hubs by those I follow, and I'm so glad I happened upon this one today.

The combination of gratitude for simply being alive and for our power to help others through our sincere encouragement and praise helps me see that no life, no moment in life, need be useless.

Clicking "beautiful" and sharing with my followers.

Born2care2001 4 years ago from Asheville NC Author

Thank you Krisl!

And I so agree with you. My only regret is that I wasn't as grateful or as graceful earlier in life. I am, however, really happy you came upon my writing today because if I can reach one human being with the message of the value of gratefulness then I can live a life of great-fullness!